ABC's of Successful Classroom Management

Always correctly spell your instructor’s name.

Be on time to class; being late will only draw attention to you in a negative way.

Carefully consider class attendance—some take roll; some don’t. Be there just in case.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions—raise your hand; meet instructor after class; use e-mail.

Effort and attendance usually determine output. Success requires both.

Flatter your instructor by calling him or her by the title “Dr.” even if it’s not.

Go to the first class meeting where you’ll get all the information about requirements.

Humor is always appreciated but not at the expense of the instructor (or classmates).

Interact with the instructor (and classmates) in a polite manner.

Judgments about the instructor’s intelligence are better left to their Deans.

Keep up with assigned reading and homework. Do some every night.

Libraries are good places to do some serious studying. Cool people hang there too.

Meet your instructor during his or her office hours and listen carefully to him or her.

Never ask, “Did I miss anything important when I was absent last time?”

Open your eyes and mind to the instructor and your classmates’ thoughts and beliefs.

Place your cell phone and/or pager in the silent or off position while in class.

Question with respect. Don’t make the instructor or your classmates feel stupid.

Remember to bring the book, a notepad, and pen or pencil (already sharpened) to class.

Sleep at your place and not in the classroom.

Treat your instructor, classmates, and the custodian who cleans the classroom with respect.

Understand the instructor’s requirements for grades at the beginning of the semester.

Volunteer to do extra research on a related class topic or in the instructor’s field of research.

Waiting until exam week to ask for help will not get you help.

X-ray vision is not allowed on exam days—scholastic dishonesty is taken very seriously.

Your first priority must be making good grades—limit your outside work and leisure activities.

Zeros will never help your grade point average.

Remember:

It’s the instructor who gives the grade but YOU are the one who earns it.